#robingurl

GW Appears

She stood behind the door peering inside watching Alfred pace in Bruce’s study. She knew something was wrong. That red phone had started to beep, he pulled away from her studies and closed the door.

Bruce and Dick had been gone for two days and she couldn’t feel her twin mentally. She knew something bad had happened.

Whatever was going on, it was because of that red phone.

She started to pull away when she saw Alfred pull down that head of Shakespeare on Bruce’s desk. Her eyes widened as the wall opened and two poles went down somewhere.

“Sarah Grayson!”

She startled looking back to see Aunt Harriet glaring at her. “W-What?”

“Spying on Alfred? That is not lady like.” The older woman chastised as she held her hand out for her to take, “Come along, you need to finish your homework. Alfred will be back to help with your English paper.”

She pulls the door shut quietly before smiling as best she can, “Sorry, I got curious! I didn’t know he had a brother in Gotham. I wanted to know more.”

“Well, I never heard such a crazy thing. All of Alfred’s family is in England.”

Sarah walks back into the den and sits down on the couch looking back over her shoulder then back at her Aunt. “Can’t I take a break? I’ll go fold clothes or something?”

“No. I refuse to have you acting like your brother. He’s always getting out of things. That boy..” Her aunt shook her head again joining her on the couch, then pulled out her knitting. “Now go. Work on that paper and no more excuses.”

“Aw alright… can I at least turn on music? Bruce was telling me classical music helps with concentration.”

Aunt Harriet raised an eyebrow at her niece before sighing, “Go on then. The records are over by the piano.”

She smiled and hurried over shifting through the records before find Chopin. She put it on the player and pulled the needle down. Seconds later the sounds of Chopin were playing in the living room. She sits back down and starts to work on her paper.

*~*

She looks up hearing a slight snore and smirks.

Her Aunt was fast asleep, knitting needles still in hand. She remembered a week or so ago that while Aunt Harriet fussed at her brother for not being able to play Chopin properly, when he did, she was always nodding off.

She couldn’t believe it worked.

She quietly got to her feet and went back to Bruce’s office. She opened the door cautiously then steps in closing it behind her.

She didn’t have long. If her Aunt woke up, she’d be in more trouble.

Her eyes scanned the office before finding that head of Shakespeare. Walking over to it, she tried to copy what Alfred had done. At first she thought she’d broken it but then the head lifted the same as before.

“Bat Poles and Elevator?”

She turned the pole switch and turned as the wall opened up again. She walked over it and looks up to the one that had her twins name on it. “Okay, Dick, what ever is going on – I’m coming!”

She hops on it and slides down the pole not knowing where it was ending.

*~*

Darkness took over her vision and she was starting to regret going down the pole. Something wrapped around her body as she went down, she saw light finally and landed on something squishy. She stumbled having to hold on as she looked down at herself.

Green gloves… red and green leotard…

Her head turned to look behind her.

A gold cape?

Her hands went up to her face and felt a mask. She looked down at her feet… green pixi boots?!

“Dick, what the heck…” She trailed off as the area lit up and the bat signal appeared. “Woah..the batcave?” She stepped off the soft landing pad and down the stairs. “Bruce is Batman… that means Dick is Robin?” She sees a mirror and walks over to it – sure enough there was a gold and black R on her chest.

She lifts her gaze from the mirror at hearing a beeping noise. She looks around the large cave trying to figure out where it was coming from. This one was different from the red phone beep.

Stepping around several computers and equipment she saw a large rectangular computer that had a map on it with a sonar pulsing. The beep was in the shape of a bat.

Was that where Bruce and Dick were?

“…that’s the warehouse district.”

Wait, Alfred came down. Surely he was around somewhere. “Alfred?!” She calls hopefully, her voice echoing but she receives no response. “Ok Sarah Grayson.. it’s up to us. The Batmobile is missing – Bru- I mean Batman and Robin probably took that. I don’t know what Alfred took. There has to be something else for me to take.”

She starts to search around the cave opening cabinets and closets. 15 minutes later she found a pair of rollerskates and pulled them out. “….yeah right. I’m not getting to Gotham wearing skates.” She groaned frustrated dropping the pair of skates on the desk as she slumped into the nearby chair.

As she does a spark flies and it lights up one of the pieces of paper. She startles jumping to her feet and pulls the paper off the desk, throwing the skates to the ground. “W-What the heck kind of skates are these?!”

After putting the fire out she kneels down checking them over again. “….r-rocket powered roller skates… Bruce are you serious!? No not him.. this sounds like my brother. Well.” She takes a deep breath then starts to pull them on carefully latching them on her feet. “If he can wear these, so can I.”

She stands unsteadily before skating around not so gracefully at first hitting the computers. She hits the wall over by the closet she had found them in and knocks a helmet and other gear out of it.

Her eyes lit up, “Well.. safety first.”

Sarah stands up right and looks at herself in the mirror tightening the helmet on her head. She was missing something.. from what she’d seen in the papers Batman always had some kind of belt.

Robin had to have one as well.

She looks around again and sees a coat hanger, several belts were hanging off them. Her eyes lit up at seeing a smaller one – it had to be her twins. She pulls it around her waist and snaps it.

Now it was time to go.

She skated to the edge of the cave looking outside. The road was desolate but didn’t look too rough. She looked down at her skates before lifting one foot, she strikes it against the back of the other and feels the heat of the rockets lighting.

The speed caught her off guard but after she got her balance, this wasn’t too bad. “Hang on, I’m coming!”

*~*

Batman looked up hearing a groggy moan and he sighed in relief, “Robin? Are you awake?”

“…’m ‘ere…”

He watches as the young teen tugged against his restraints trying to look around. “Joker caught us, chum. From what I can tell, we’ve down here for two days.”

“What hit me… feels like I got run over by a truck.”

“That was the Joker’s drug. Give it time, that heavy feeling will go away. What we need to focus on is getting out of here. I put a homing call to the Batcave but no one answered.”

“Y-You don’t think he got ahold of Alfred to do you?” The boy wonder’s eyes widened fearfully, “A-And –“

“Don’t even think it. We’d hear of a kidnapping. Dick Grayson’s sister and aunt are fine.” Batman stated trying to calm his partner.

The lights above them turned on and an evil cackle was heard outside the door. “Gentlemen, I’m happy to see you’re still with us. I must say Boy Blunder, you had me worried.. I must have over done the joker drug.” The clown shrugged before laughing. “Oh well. I know you must be so lonely, so I found another person to join you. He was just snooping around, which is not a classy thing for a butler to be doing.” He clicked his tongue shaking his head. “Bad manners, you know.”

The other two watched as Alfred was pushed in, his hands tied behind his back.

“What I want to know is why Bruce Wayne’s butler is snooping out here to begin with.”

Alfred landed hard wincing before he stammered out an excuse, “There was a warehouse sale of vintage cloth from around the world. I was trying to find some to make my master a new suit, you ruffian.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Let him go. He hasn’t done anything.”

“Sorry Batman. It’s too late now. At least he’ll have a hefty ransom price. I’m sure I could get a couple of cool million for his life.”

The Caped Crusador watched as the door was slammed shut again. Alfred grunted as he pushed himself to a sitting position, “I’m sorry sir. I tried.” He whispered.

“That’s alright, we’ll get out of here somehow.”

*~*

Sarah looks up sharply from the map she’d bought at the drug store. Her brother must have been awake. She could feel his presence again.

“Hey wait a second, who even are you? Dressed up like Robin and all that. You be careful out there. The Joker is loose.”

“I’ll be ok, thanks.” She smiles before walking to the door and pulling her skates on again. Maybe once she got to the warehouse district, she could just follow her twin.

The clerk removes his hat and watches her leave, “…if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought that was the boy wonder himself but as a girl. Even almost sounded like him."

*~*

The rocket power gave out right as she made it to the street that started the Warehouse district. She skated on her own a bit further down focusing on her brother’s presence.

It was quiet and desolate, even creepy and it wasn’t even night time yet. She glanced around at the tall buildings skating closer to a few of them not feeling him at all.

“Come on, Robin.. where are you.” She thought to herself trying not to give her position away. If Dick heard her, he and Bruce would send her away.

She wasn’t leaving until she found them and brought them back.

*~*

Robin lifts his head looking to the side, his eyes glazing over slightly, “…Sarah..?”

“Robin? What is it?” Batman asked worried. He was still getting used to the connection the two of them had. He had stopped trying to act like it didn’t exist and just tried to embrace it. He still couldn’t explain it but the way they reacted to each other; it wasn’t fake.

“….she’s nearby?”

“She was with Missus Cooper before I left, sir. I checked several times. She has no knowledge of any of this either.” Alfred reassured them both.

“I can feel her.” The teen started to pull at his restraints trying not to panic. They had to get out of here. If she was nearby, she could be hurt and caught by Joker and his goons.

*~*

Sarah stopped at the biggest building on the block. She could feel her twin’s presense loud and clear, he and Bruce had to be here. She kicked off her skates before feeling around her belt trying to figure out what she had.

She finds some pellets and a bat shaped boomerangs (one was attached to a rope), bat shaped handcuffs, a radio, smoke bombs… not the worse selection but not the best. She’d have to make do.

She sneaks around the side of the building but stops and hides behind some crates at hearing a few voices.

“At least we caught the bat and brat. I can take a cop any day, but that kid packs a punch.” One goon groaned rubbing his head. “I still have a headache from all of his yappin’.”

“Right? At least the bat is quiet except for his lecturin’ and all that.. that kid is like one of those small dogs, the ones you can kick if they get too loud?”

“Man, you aren’t kickin’ dogs are ya?”

“…I’ve thought it a couple of times. My brod has two – they don’t shut up.”

Sarah crawls on her knees in the dirt past them before picking up one of the smoke bombs. She presses the button then rolls one out where they are standing. She pulls the gold cape over her face and turns around away from it.

A few seconds later she hears a whooshing sound then a green smoke takes over the small entrance dropping visibility to almost nothing.

“What the heck!? It’s another one of those smoke bombs!”

Sarah got to her feet and hurried inside. She thought she’d made it inside when something grabbed her cape and yanked her back.

“I got someone! Alright, who are yo- Robin? We just caught you and Batman!”

She blinks realizing they didn’t see her hair. She swallowed nervously before grinning, “Holy Failure, guess you didn’t, did you?” She tries to tug away kicking the air as she’s lifted up. Her feet connect with his face and he drops her as he cries out.

She hits the floor running knocking crates over as she does to try and stop them.

“Boss!! The boy wonder got out, he’s free!! Look out!”

She skids on the dirt covered concrete floor as she comes up on two more goons. “Hi ya!” She attempted to hit one of them and it hurt her more than him.

She was in trouble.

What would her brother do?

Right before she was grabbed, she took a running leap kicking the guy in the stomach. He fell backwards in a heap, his partner coming next.

“I don’t know how you got out, but I’m going to put ya back! GET BACK HERE!”

“I’d rather not,” She quipped grinning. “But thanks anyway.” She drops a crate ontop of this one’s head and he falls to her feet unconscious. She nervously whispered an “I’m sorry.” Before hurrying down.

“They have to be down here somewhere…” She knew had gotten lucky with the last four and if she got ambushed again, she may not be as lucky the second go around.

*~*

The door to their cell slammed open as Joker stepped in looking around angrily, “Where is the brat Batman?”

“I’m right here.” Robin grins confused. “Miss me that bad?”

“You dolt. He’s right here.”

“Man, you don’t get it… he’s got a twin or something running around out there. I swear it was Robin the Boy Wonder. Looked and sounded just like him – hit me just as hard as well.”

Robin looked to Batman his eyes widening, the presence he felt earlier with his sister. He mouths, ‘Sarah’s here’.

“You’re seeing things.”

“Then who beat me up!?”

“The wall. You must have run into the wall!” Joker lifts his head at hearing footsteps and turns around his own eyes widening.

Coming down the hallway, on guard, was a teenager that had the same height, weight and build as the one in the jail cell.

“What the…. There are two of you?!” Joker cries out to the three in the jail cell.

Batman grins as his hand works on his bonds with his batknife, “I forgot to tell you, Joker.. I have a back up.” He feels them break away and he waits until the other has his back turned to him. He scoots back and cuts Robin’s bonds.

Robin’s wrists broke free and he jumped up pushing the Joker out the doorway and into the wall. “SURPRISE!”

“ACCCK! GET HIM! THEY ARE FREE!!”

Robin jumps back bouncing on his feet before he turns and hurries down the hallway to where he knew his sister was.

Batman had moved slower. Right as the Joker got his bearings back and turned around, he was right there. The clown shrunk slightly smiling, “Come on, can’t we talk about this? I-I mean unfair play a-and all that? Look, I’ll even free the old man- aCK.” His arm was wrenched behind him. “At least tell me who the other kid is!! What kind of magic trick is it?!”

“That’s my secret. Let’s go Joker.” He snaps the batcuffs on his wrists looking up as Alfred gets out. “Stay with me, sir. I’ll get you out and free soon.”

*~*

Sarah backs up as the next set of goons come for her. She hops up on one of the rafters with ease using her acrobatic knowledge.

She pulls out the bat boomerang thing and opens it. Maybe she could hit a few people with it.

“Come on boy blunder.. I saw ya out here. I just want to talk.” He rubs his hands together looking to either side as he walks the hallway.

“I can’t believe there are two of them. How many other people are workin’ with the bat do you think?”

“I’ve only ever seen Robin. This is freaking me out as it is.”

They both startled as the “boy wonder” drops from the ceiling, throwing the boomerang at them, hitting one of them on the head. He staggers back, his hands going to his head.

“I’ve got him!” The other jumps up and narrowly misses grabbing the cape. “He’s up there.”

“I’ve got this. Why play wackamole, when we can just go hunting.” The one who had gotten hit pulls out his gun and cocks it. “Come on, brat. Show yourself or I’ll shoot ya down.”

Behind him the real Robin was entering at the same hallway. “I’m right here, I don’t know who you’re talking to!”

The two of them twirled around gun out, “You were just above us!”

“Was I? Are you sure about that?” He bounced around dodging the shots with ease until he flipped over and kicked one of them into the wall. “You must be tired, seeing double.”

To his surprise Sarah dropped from the ceiling dressed as him. He blinks a few times trying to hide the shock hoping she would play with it.

“THERE! LOOK! A second one!”

He ducked out of sight as she landed in front of them.

“…a second? I only saw one.” Sarah said acting innocently as she shrugs. “You’re a really bad shot.”

She watched her brother as he got behind them and kicked their legs out from underneath them knocking both to the ground.

“Alright!! You did it!” She claps her hands happily running over.

“Help me tie them up.” He threw her some rope before smiling. “You look good like that.”

“Thanks!” She ties one of the thugs hands behind his back then picks up a piece of dirty cloth gagging him. “Now no yelling… and yes.. there are two of us.”

Robin does the same to his thug before the twins stand up together grinning down at them at the same time. The thugs tried to scream in terror as they were left behind.

“Now where?” She asked keeping up with her brother.

“This way. Batman and Alfred were done here earlier – how did you get here anyway?”

“Those crazy roller skates.”

“Wait the rocket powered ones!? You got them to work!?” He stopped and turned to her. “Without burning the place down?”

“….uh. Kinda. I burned some papers on the desk in the cave but otherwise yes?” She stops looking around the hallway. “Did you make them up?”

He smiles proudly, “Sure did!” He takes her hand and pulls her down one way. “They should be down here.”

*~*

Batman looks back as he escorts Joker out to the main hallway, surprised to see two Robin’s coming down towards him. He had to focus to find his actual ward. “Thanks you two. We got them all.”

Joker startled eyes widening as both of them got closer, “It’s an illusion!! There are two of them!!”

“BOO!” Sarah leaned in making a face before pulling back.

Robin made another face at him before getting a look from Batman, “Aw come on, it’s just a bit of fun.”

Batman looks over to the “other Robin”, “Go wait by the Batmobile. We’ll be over there soon.”

“You got it!” Sarah saluted before stepping over the goons and hurrying down the other side of the building away from everyone right as the police show up.

“Batman, Batman! We’re so glad to see you – we’ve been looking everywhere.. when you called us, we got here as soon as we could.” Gordan sighed with relief before turning to his men. “Go on, take them to the cars.”

“Take me, please! Just get me out of here! The place is haunted!”

“Haunted?”

“I don’t know what he’s talking about…” Robin shrugged. “Do you Batman?”

“No, I can’t say that I do.”

“There were TWO Robins. TWO. I saw them!!”

“The Joker is just exhausted and probably huffed some of his knock out gas by accident. Take him to penatinury to get some rest and the haullincations will die down.” Batman turns to Alfred, “And you, sir. I can take you home or drop you off at the bus stop if you wish.”

“Alfred!? Bruce Wayne’s butler? Are we glad to see you. Missus Harriet Cooper called the station worried sick. You disappeared, Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne have been gone for 2 days and now Dick Grayson’s twin sister Sarah is missing as well.”

“Oh my. I-I must hurry to Missus Coopers side. Master Bruce and Dick were on a hunting trip but I need to find Mrs Sarah.”

“We’ll help you.” Batman nods to Gordan pulling Alfred down the side.

*~*

The Batmobile pulled into the Batcave and as it parked on the turn table Robin hopped out of his door before opening it to help his sister out. He finally pulls her mask off before hugging her, “You gave us both a shock! You were great though! Scared the goons and Joker! I’ve never seen him so freaked out!”

“Thanks, I-I hope it was ok that I came. I was really worried and after Alfred disappeared..”

Batman gets out of the car and walks over, “We may have gotten us into a bit of a mess with Aunt Harriet but thanks to you we got free. How did you find the Bat Cave anyway?”

“I kind of eavesdropped on Alfred. The red phone kept beeping – I guess it was Comminsor Gordan trying to get ahold of you – and I watched him open the head of Shakespeare…so I followed him.” She explained as she removed her cape and gloves. “I definitely didn’t expect to come down the poles looking like this.”

Batman smiles before pulling his own cowl off then his cape. “It takes some getting used to. I gather she held her own, Robin?”

“Sure did! I didn’t do much. We played a game with the thugs and convinced them they were seeing things.” Robin tugged his own cape off and mask.

“Does that mean I can help out again?” She asks hopefully.

“After we get you out of trouble with Aunt Harriet we’ll talk. You’ll need a different costume though… red isn’t exactly your color.”

She lifts her head as she looks to where he’s looking and sees her pink sweater all folded on the table and grins happily, “One more thing… I don’t want just a leotard. Can I have a skirt?”

“I don’t see why not.” Bruce walks over to the desk and picks up a piece of burnt paper, “What is this?”

“Sarah got those roller skates to work!! The rocket powered ones!” Dick exclaimed happily, he hugs her proudly.

“Sure did. Had to get to you guys somehow.”

Bruce sighs and shakes his head grinning, “Ok you both get changed. I’ll come up with some sort of excuse..”

*~*

“Alfred, she was right here! Then I fell asleep and she was gone! Where did you go off to anyway?”

“I-I.. u-uh..”

“Aunt Harriet!”

The older lady turned surprised to see Bruce, Dick and Sarah come in front outside. Sarah looked a little dirty and and limping a bit.

“My dear what happened?!”

Sarah leaned on her brother for support, “I went outside to see if I could find Bruce and Dick on the Wayne Hunting Grounds… I found them alright and a steep hill. I fell right down it.”

“She’ll be ok, just needs to soak her feet and wrap her ankle up for a day or so.” Bruce explained. “Dick, go help your sister get washed up.”

“Sure thing, Bruce. Take it easy and lean on me. Aunt Harriet will you get the first aid kit?”

“Oh, mercy me. What am I going to do now that there are you two of you?! Get her in on the couch and I’ll be in there shortly.” Their Aunt hurried up the stiars to get the medical supplies leaving them all alone.

The other four just smiled at each other before Sarah leaned on her brother’s arm and hops into the den.

"Bruce… you came." She looked tired as the other man walked up.

"How is he?"

Before she could answer two heads popped out of the car behind him. The twins looked scared and worried. Her eyes widened before she sighed. "He's upstairs.."

The twins got out and ran past the adults. "Sarah. Dick." They stopped running and started walking up the stairs stopping to wave hello to another person in the kitchen.

--- "You didn't answer my question." Bruce continued once the twins were gone.

"Were you worried?"

Bruce went silent before nodding. "…He's one of my best friends of course I was worried."

"You told the twins?"

"I didn't tell them anything, they found out on their own. Eaves dropping."

"Well come on in, you'll see for yourself."

---

They both stopped at the door and pushed the door open nervously. They had only heard enough from Bruce to know it wasn't good… or so they thought. Sarah reached out squeezing her twins hand before they stepped in. They had seen Bruce hurt many times… but this was different… he wasn't supposed to get hurt..

To their surprise he was sitting up in bed and looked ok?

"U-Uncle Clark….?" Sarah started her bottom lip quivering. "A-Are you ok?"

He looked up surprised to see both of the kids staring at him with scared eyes. He had expected Bruce to visit … "Sarah? Dick? What are you….? "

"Bruce said you were hurt! What happened? I thought Superman was invincible." Dick countered his voice shaking.

"Easy it's ok… they had kryptonite. I just got a little sick that’s all.." He offered a slight grin.

Sarah let go of her twins hand and ran over hugging him. Dick joined her shortly after. He hugged them back looking over their heads to see a relieved Bruce as well.

Joyeux Noël 

by @robingurl​

Summary: Erik hasn't celebrated Christmas in 10 years since Christine left him. Now she's back and its time to celebrate again.

Notes: This is for my contribution to the POTO Advent Calendar. This is LND but it's not. It doesn't follow the time line. Christine doesn't die and she and Meg don't fight. Meg doesn't go crazy. Christine and Raoul leave on amicable terms.

I also mention an unborn child. This runs with my universe where they have a daughter. But that's it. :) ENJOY!

I thank Miles for giving me French Customs and Phrases.

****

He exited into the back entrance to the park one morning ready to start his day. He pulled his cloak on after putting his mask over his face looking up briefly to see the sky was cloudy today. They looked like snow clouds. If the snow started too early they would have to close to park earlier than expected.

Regardless, it was the usual schedule: Write new music, attend rehearsals of all groups in his show, teach Gustav a new piece on the piano, and work on his newest piece for Christine.

The days were getting colder but for once he hadn't noticed for he was content. These past few months had started making up for his 10 years of loneliness he'd experienced when he had lost her.

Now she was back and brightening each and every day again just like she had back in France at the Opera House. Only this time, she and he were truly together. Not only together but they had a child together with another on the way.

He found himself wondering what she was up to this morning. She hadn't been beside him when he'd awakened this morning. He worried a bit for a few seconds on hoping she was safe and not putting herself or the unborn child in danger but then remembered that he hadn't seen Gustav either. That probably meant they were together and safe.

He closed his eyes briefly and he could see her happy smile hearing her say "Good Morning" as she always did. Just like everything she did, her voice, her mannerisms, her facial features, he held them near and dear to his heart.

A smile crossed his features as he straightened his mask and closed his cloak to keep himself warm. As he walked down the ally way he started to notice a warm glow in the fog from the ocean. He lifted his gaze eyes widening.

His park had been changed completely almost over night. There were giant strands of garland lining all of the buildings and attractions. What looked like lit garland was around the entrance and exit. Someone had taken his electric lights and hung them from the garland as best as they could. Giant bows and bells were placed over each arch and in each corner.

He honestly hadn't thought about decorating any of Phantasma for Christmas. To tell the truth, he hadn't thought about Christmas since she left him.

Before he had known her, he had never been a big celebrator of Holidays. He had viewed them as more of a nuisance that interrupted the daily flow of life.

He had always allowed his managers to decorate the Grand Opera as they saw fit. It made the paying customers happy and that was all that mattered.

That had changed once he had met her. Christine loved Christmas and would help Meg and Madam decorate the Opera House. When he was watching her from afar, the smile that crossed her features when she decorated was always so bright and innocent. Her blue eyes always sparkled in the candle light and took his breath away.

She always sounded so excited with each day that led up to Christmas Eve. With each day, she would appear in a Holiday colored garment. Her red curls always looked beautiful with the red dresses.

Once they had met, it seemed Christine had made it her mission to spread that Christmas "cheer" to him as well. Every time he went back to his lair there would be another decoration here and there until he was walking into garland every step he took.

He had grumbled once about it only for her to call him a "Scrooge" and that Raoul was alright with Christmas and decorating. After that he had no choice but to agree to it. At first he had only agreed to it to show the "fop" that he could celebrate as well but it quickly turned into enjoying the time with Christine and seeing her happy.

After she had left the opera, what little love he had for anything slipped away and left him with none. He ignored the holidays after she left. What good were they if she wasn't present?

Now as he stood there staring at his newly decorated park, he felt the love he had felt back in the opera. Memories were coming back of the decorated Opera and his lair. This all looked like Christine.

He's pulled out of his thoughts by a scream and crash on the ground around the corner. He stepped around and saw his beautiful Christine on the ground laughing.

Gustav came running and knelt down beside her, "Mother are you alright?"

"Yes, dearest, yes I am. I just took a tumble. These skirts aren't meant for one to climb in." She put a hand on her slightly pregnant belly as she stood up patting Gustav's head. "Don't worry, I'm alright."

"Angel? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

They both turned around and saw Erik standing there looking petrified. Christine started to laugh again, "Dearest, I'm fine. I promise."

"Did you do all of this?" He found himself asking.

"Well, I thought it was time to decorate. After all, it is the first week of December." She dusted off her skirt smiling proudly. "I didn't do all of this myself, so do not worry." She could see his concerned gaze drifting towards her and the unborn child. "Gustav and the others helped." She walked over to him, red curls bouncing as she gave him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Gustav asked grinning. "I can't wait for everyone to see it!"

Erik hugged Christine to his side and looked around another smile crossing his features. "I-I do. I love it. I shall write new music just for the celebration of the holiday. We can have holiday themed attractions!"

"Like a Christmas park!?" Gustav chimed in excitedly. "We can have singing presents and and Père Noël?"

"Precisely! Now why don't you run along and tell Madam Giry, your ideas so she can start planning the new routine. Tell her I will begin on the music immediately." He encouraged his son squeezing his shoulder.

"You've got it!" The young boy exclaimed as he took off running down the road.

"Be careful, Gustav! Don't bother her if they are practicing!" Christine yells after him. She then turns to her husband, squeezing his hand. "Darling, are you sure you are alright with all of this? If I remember correctly, you used to hate me decorating where you lived and worked."

"That was before you introduced me to all of this." He motioned smiling down at her. "I never used to care for Christmas until I met you. You made the Holiday sound so beautiful and worth celebrating." He gently picks up her hand leading it to his cheek. "Then once you left, the holidays and everything that made life worth living left with it."

"That's all in the past. I'm here now." She said reassuringly as she stroked his face. She smiled up at him. "I promised you that we'd never be apart again. I promised I'd make up for the years we were apart and I meant it."

"I know dearest and I the same. Each day is a new adventure and I am looking forward to our next. You challenge and guide me like no one ever has before and I look forward to it."

Christine smiles. She was so relieved that he was alright with all of this. She had done it on a whim to surprise him. Gustav had happily agreed as did the other performers in the park and over night they had decorated the entire park. She feels him gently place a hand on her swollen stomach and she holds his hand there. "It's hard to believe that next year we have another little one to introduce to Christmas."

"If it's anything like this year, they will have a lot to love." He commented.

Above them it started to snow, they both glanced up hugging each other close. The struggle was over, the long years of being unhappy were being chipped away to a brighter new life.

She started to pull away and go finish her decorating when he pulled her close and kissed her. "My dearest Christine, Joyeux Noël"